Colophon · About
TheCatManual exists because most cat advice online is either too clinical, too vague, or written by someone who has clearly never lived with one.
Photograph / An evening silhouette — shot on a warm October night.
Chapter One — The Story
Growing up, there was always a cat in the house. On the sofa, on the windowsill, on the keyboard. Cats were just part of what home felt like — warmth that moved and occasionally knocked your glass off the table.
That early familiarity grew into genuine curiosity. Why do cats knead? What does a slow blink actually mean? Why does one cat thrive on affection while another barely tolerates being in the same room? I started reading — behavioural research, nutrition studies, veterinary literature — and realised how much the science had to say that wasn't making its way to everyday cat owners.
TheCatManual is my attempt to close that gap. Not a clinical resource. Not a listicle farm. A place where evidence-informed knowledge meets the reality of living with a cat who has opinions.
Chapter Two — The Bosses
Two remarkable girls who have taught me more about cat behaviour than any book — mostly by refusing to follow the rules.
The thinker
Cautious, observant, slow to trust — and completely worth the wait. Cola watches everything before she acts, which research suggests is a sign of high emotional intelligence in cats. She was the first to figure out the treat puzzle. She was also the first to look bored by it.
The instigator
Fearless, loud, and deeply convinced that 5 am is a perfectly reasonable time to have opinions. Chili is the reason I know so much about feline vocalisation — because she has a lot to say, and studies confirm that cats develop their vocal repertoire specifically to communicate with humans.
Chapter Three — The Principles
№ 01
Every guide begins with what the science actually says — not what sounds reassuring. We read the studies, then translate them into things you can actually do on a Tuesday.
№ 02
Cats scratch furniture. They knock things over at 3 am. They get sick. We don't pretend cat ownership is a Pinterest board — and that honesty is why people come back.
№ 03
The internet is full of contradictory cat advice. We cut through it and tell you what actually matters — so you spend less time anxious-Googling and more time with your cat.
Chapter Four — Our Beliefs
Begin here